How to add an eSIM card to an Android phone
Going on vacation and wishing you could avoid roaming charges? You can! Get an eSIM for your Android phone and choose the best mobile data plan for your trip. But first, you’ll have to add the eSIM to your phone.
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How can I check if my Android device supports eSIMs?
To be able to ditch physical SIM cards, you’ll first have to find out if your Android supports eSIMs. You’ll find the answer in your phone’s settings, on the manufacturer’s website, or on your mobile carrier’s website.
Check your phone’s settings
You can check if your mobile device is eSIM compatible by going to its settings and looking for options related to mobile networks or SIM cards. If you find an option for adding an eSIM — congrats, your device is eSIM compatible!
For example, on Samsung Galaxy phones, you can go to “Settings,” “Connections,” and “SIM card manager” where you’ll find the “Add eSIM” section or a similar one. Unfortunately, if there’s no eSIM section, you’ll have to stick to a physical SIM card and pay for roaming when you travel.
Check out the manufacturer’s information
Another way to check eSIM compatibility for your Android is to go to the manufacturer’s website and look up your phone model’s specifications. Most recent Androids support eSIM technology so using an eSIM shouldn’t be a problem.
Check in with your carrier
However, you should also find out if your carrier supports eSIM technology. Not all carriers support eSIMs, while some only offer eSIM services in several regions and with specific mobile plans. So check out your carrier’s website or simply contact its customer support.
Which Android phones are compatible with eSIMs?
To save you time on browsing, here’s a list of the most recent eSIM compatible Android phones:
Samsung Galaxy: S24 Ultra, S24+, S24, S23 FE (Some versions may be incompatible with eSIMs — check the phone's manual), S23 Ultra, S23+, S23, S22 Ultra, S22+, S22, S21+ Ultra 5G, S21+ 5G, S21, S20 Ultra 5G, S20 Ultra, S20+ 5G, S20+, S20, Z Fold5 5G, Z Fold4, Z Fold3 5G, Z Fold2 5G, Fold, Z Flip5 5G, and Z Flip4
Google Pixel: Pixel Fold, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7, Pixel 7a, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6, Pixel 5a, Pixel 5, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 3a (Some versions may be incompatible with eSIMs — check the phone's manual), Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3 (Some versions may be incompatible with eSIMs — check the phone's manual), Pixel 2 XL, and Pixel 2 (Some versions may be incompatible with eSIMs — check the phone's manual).
Huawei: Huawei Mate 40 Pro, Huawei P40 Pro, and Huawei P40.
Motorola: Motorola Edge 40 Neo, Motorola Edge 40 Pro, Motorola Edge 40, Motorola Edge+, Motorola Razr+, Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, Motorola Razr 40, Motorola Razr 5G, Motorola Razr 2019, Motorola G52J 5G, Motorola G52J 5G Ⅱ, Motorola G53J 5G, Moto G54 5G, and Motorola G84.
Rakuten: Rakuten Hand 5G, Rakuten Hand, Rakuten Big, Rakuten Big-S, and Rakuten Mini.
Sony Xperia: Xperia 10 III Lite, Xperia 10 IV, Xperia 10V, Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 5 IV, Xperia 1 V, Xperia Ace III, and Xperia 5 V.
Nokia: Nokia G60 5G, X30, and XR21.
Nuu: Nuu X5.
It’s fair to say that all Android phone models that will hit the market after these will support eSIM technology.
How to install an eSIM on an Android
You can install an eSIM on your Android by downloading an eSIM provider app or by scanning a QR code.
Download an eSIM app
The easiest option of getting an eSIM for your Android phone is to download an eSIM app. Simply pop in to the Google Play Store and choose an eSIM provider.
With some eSIM service providers like Saily, you can enjoy a quick installation process — simply download the app and follow the easy steps on the screen to activate your mobile data plan.
Use a QR code
You can also add an eSIM to your Android by using a QR code. Your mobile carrier will provide the code on a physical card, in an email, or on their website, so all you have to do is:
Open your phone’s settings and find the “SIM card manager” (or similar) option.
Tap on the “Add eSIM” (or similar) option.
Select “Scan QR code.”
Continue following instructions on your screen to complete the installation process.
How to activate an eSIM on an Android
Once you’ve installed an eSIM on your device using an eSIM app or by scanning a QR code, it’s time to activate the new eSIM card. The steps on how to activate an eSIM will be similar on Android phones, but you can check the following instructions for your device to be sure.
Samsung Galaxy
To activate an eSIM on your Samsung Galaxy phone, follow these steps:
Go to “Settings.”
Tap on “Connections.”
Select “SIM card manager.”
Tap on “Add eSIM.”
Under the “eSIMs” section, toggle on the eSIM that you’ve just installed.
Google Pixel
You can activate an eSIM on your Google Pixel phone by following these easy steps:
Go to “Settings.”
Tap on “Network and internet.”
Select “eSIMs.”
Find the eSIM you’ve just installed and select it.
Toggle on “Use this SIM.”
Make sure that “Mobile data” is toggled on.
Huawei
It’s easy to activate an eSIM on your Huawei phone if you follow these steps:
Go to “Settings.”
Tap on “Mobile network.”
Select “SIM management.”
Under the SIM management section, you’ll see the eSIM you’ve just installed. Tap on your new eSIM.
Activate your new eSIM by toggling the switch next to it to the “on” position.
Tap on "Mobile data" to make sure it is enabled for the eSIM.
Whether you want to save on roaming charges or enjoy flexible mobile data plans, simply go for an eSIM. Most recent Android phones are eSIM compatible, making installing, activating and even transferring an eSIM to a new Android phone a piece of cake. Just purchase a mobile data plan that’s best for you and browse away!
Irma writes about eSIMs and smartphones with the same passion she has for catching waves on her surfboard. When she’s not unraveling the mysteries of digital connectivity, she’s probably trying to teach her cat to use a touchscreen.